Those who know me understand that my initial formal training was as a Physician’s Assistant. When I attended PA school, the standard of entrance for such training was to utilize those individuals who served as medics during that era’s conflict. These individuals would undergo an intensive 24-month training program and be utilized to provide healthcare in areas with noted shortages.
After my training, there was a national certification that required a three-day examination and was augmented with a continuing education of 100 hours every two years. Added testing was required every six years. Over the next several decades, a number of modifications related to working as a mid-level provider (PA/NP) and the entrance into such programs have occurred. This includes a name change to Physician’s Associate, the entrance requirements into these PA programs to include a bachelor’s degree with significant basic science training, and added testing to determine suitability for such a program.
Additionally, to maintain your national certification, repeat testing was required, and it is now noted that the testing occurs on an every ten-year basis. Continuation of the continuing education requirement of 100 hours every two years is maintained. The powers that be clearly note the need for elevated education prior to, and continuing education subsequent to achieving this occupation.
With respect to the ever-evolving landscape within our worker’s compensation ecosystem, every professional must know that ongoing, persistent continuing education is essential. As a dear friend likes to say, worker’s compensation is the same everywhere, except that it is different in every state. What this means is that state legislature is always changing something, which results in the worker’s compensation world being in a state of constant flux, requiring professionals to work hard at keeping well-educated. The only constant for these Worker’s Compensation professionals is continuing education.
One does note that not every state requires the claim file handler or adjuster to be certified. However, more than 30 jurisdictions have that specific requirement. As part of that licensure, additional education is required. Given the nature of this position, there is a constant need to be updated on legal and regulatory changes, those medical developments that could affect and have an effect on the injured employee, the current best practices relative to effective case management strategies, and the most recent skills related to fraud detection and risk management. There is so much to learn with relatively little time.
Not a day goes by when I am informed via any number of newsletters how AI is changing the business landscape. To be clear, not every change in the AI world affects the worker’s compensation ecosystem. However, everyone must be aware of and use/implement these tools to effectively provide the best possible services to each stakeholder within our worker’s compensation environment.
A number of education providers offer and effectively use Artificial Intelligence to develop and provide the education necessary to be an effective member of the worker’s compensation system. Personalized learning, adaptive changes, and virtual tools enable the student to obtain the maximum from these endeavors.
Ongoing Education Is Paramount
The importance of ongoing education is paramount and readily available to everyone who plays in our sandbox. Each participant needs to embrace the concept of the need for never-ending ongoing education, using all tools and technologies available and providing determinations based on the most current critical thinking. This education will enhance your knowledge base, develop all aspects of your skill set more efficiently, and keep you ahead of industry trends.
As such, continuing education (to include those services provided by AI ) not only addresses legal and regulatory updates and medical updates, it also needs to incorporate an understanding and application of AI-driven services. The ultimate benefit would include increased efficiency, decreased costs, developing all the skills necessary for professional advancement, and delivery of all proper care/services to the injured employee.
Use the tools, receive the benefits, and become that leader necessary for the future of worker’s compensation. Build the pathway for everyone who takes part in our ecosystem.